Method of improving beta cell function using a supplement

ABSTRACT

A method of improving beta cell function by using a supplement, the comprising: administering the supplement comprising lysine, zinc, and vitamin C to a user; monitoring an insulin resistance level before and after the supplement is administered in a bio-sample; and determining a change in a dose of the supplement based on the insulin resistance level found in the bio-sample.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/153,450, filed on Oct. 5, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/817,574, filed on Nov. 20, 2017,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/581,573, filed on Nov. 3, 2017, all contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally related to improving insulinresistance and beta cell function, and more specifically, embodiments ofthe present disclosure relate to improving insulin resistance and betacell function using supplements including lysine and zinc, which mayalso help reduce higher levels of triglycerides and/or glycatedhemoglobin and help prevent advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods forimproving insulin resistance and beta cell function.

In one embodiment, a method of improving insulin resistance by using asupplement includes: administering the supplement including lysine,zinc, and vitamin C to a user; monitoring an insulin resistance levelbefore and after the supplement is administered in a bio-sample; anddetermining a change in a dose of the supplement based on the insulinresistance level found in the bio-sample.

In some embodiments, the supplement includes a range of about 500 mg toabout 3000 mg of lysine.

In some embodiments, the supplement further includes a range of lessthan about 200 mg of zinc.

In some embodiments, the supplement further includes a range of lessthan about 500 mg of vitamin C.

In embodiments, the supplement includes a range of about 500 mg to about3000 mg of lysine, a range of about 10 mg to about 60 mg of zinc, andless than about 500 mg of

In embodiments, the lysine includes D-lysine.

In some embodiments, the lysine includes L-lysine.

In embodiments, the bio-sample is a blood sample.

In some embodiments, the method further includes displaying, on agraphical user interface of an electronic device, the insulin resistancelevel.

In embodiments, the method further includes providing a notification,via the electronic device, regarding a precise dosage of supplement tobe administered.

In some embodiments, the notification includes a pop-up, a vibration, ora noise.

In embodiments, determining the change in the dose includes using avisual test to qualitatively determine an effectiveness of thesupplement.

In one embodiment, a method of improving beta cell function by using asupplement includes: administering the supplement including lysine,zinc, and vitamin C to a user; monitoring an insulin resistance levelbefore and after the supplement is administered in a bio-sample; anddetermining a change in a dose of the supplement based on the insulinresistance level found in the bio-sample.

In some embodiments, the supplement includes a range of about 500 mg toabout 3000 mg of lysine, a range of about 10 mg to about 60 mg of zinc,and less than about 500 mg of vitamin C.

In embodiments, the bio-sample is a blood sample.

In some embodiments, the method may further include displaying, on agraphical user interface of an electronic device, the insulin resistancelevel.

In one embodiment, a method of inhibiting hepatological and pancreaticdiseases using a supplement including: measuring a current triglyceridelevel of a user from a test; determining the current triglyceride level;and if the triglyceride level exceeds a threshold value, administeringthe supplement to the user including lysine.

In embodiments, the method may further include: measuring a secondtriglyceride level after administering the supplement; and if the secondtriglyceride level exceeds a threshold, administering another supplementincluding lysine.

In embodiments, the supplement further includes zinc and vitamin C.

In embodiments, the supplement includes a range of about 500 mg to about3000 mg of lysine, less than about 200 mg of zinc, and less than about500 mg of vitamin C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. Thesedrawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of theinvention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, orapplicability of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of endogenous glycation,consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of glycation occurring witha supplement including lysine and zinc, consistent with embodimentsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of monitoring theeffectiveness of supplements including lysine and zinc from abio-sample, consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of improvinginsulin resistance and beta cell function using supplements includinglysine, zinc, and vitamin C, consistent with embodiments disclosedherein.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of treatingdiabetes using supplements including lysine, zinc, and vitamin C,consistent with embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of inhibiting theeffect of hepatological, pancreatic, and blood diseases usingsupplements including lysine, zinc, and vitamin C, consistent withembodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating the relationship between a category oftriglyceride levels and the related triglyceride levels, consistent withembodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computing module that maybe used to implement any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

These figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood thatthe invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, andthat the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalentsthereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed towards treatment of insulinresistance, beta cell function, liver disease, pancreas, and blooddisorders using supplements including lysine and zinc. In someembodiments, the supplements may include vitamin C as well. Morespecifically, embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards methodsfor detecting the effectiveness of the supplements in improving insulinresistance and beta cell function. The supplements may compete withexisting protein and lipid molecules settled within the body to reducethe number of glycated proteins and triglyceride levels and to preventAGEs. It can be demonstrated that the supplements may interact withsimple sugars that might otherwise interact with existing protein tocreate glycated proteins and AGEs that lead to various chronic healthproblems, such as lowered insulin resistance and/or beta cell function,liver disease (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepaticsteatosis, etc.), pancreatitis, and/or blood disorders. In one example,the supplement may include a range of about 500 mg to about 3000 mg oflysine, a range of about 5 mg to about 200 mg of zinc, and a range ofabout 50 mg to about 500 mg of vitamin C. In other embodiment, theranges of lysine, zinc, or vitamin C may be different. One or moresupplements may be taken in a day. The effectiveness of the supplementsmay be measured through a bio-sample, such as blood test for hemoglobinA1c, triglycerides, and/or other analytes. It has been determined thatthe inclusion of zinc significantly increases the efficacy of asupplement containing only lysine. The inclusion of zinc allows for thereduction in dosage/pill size with same or better results. Vitamin C mayfurther improve insulin resistance and/or beta cell function. Theinclusion of vitamin C may also further reduce the effects of diabetes,CKD, pancreatic disease, blood disorders, and liver disease.

Glycation is the bonding of a simple sugar to a protein or lipidmolecule. Glycation may be either exogenous (i.e., outside the body) orendogenous (i.e., inside the body). Endogenous glycation mainly occursin the bloodstream to absorbed simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose,and galactose. Glycation is the first change of these molecules in aslow multi-step process which leads to advanced glycation end products(AGEs). Because AGEs are irreversible end products of a glycationprocess, stopping the glycation process before AGEs form is important.AGEs may be benign, but many are implicated in many age-related chronicdiseases such as liver disease, pancreas disease, diabetes, blooddisorders, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, chronickidney disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and othersensory losses such as deafness. Preventing this process may also helpregulate blood sugar levels of people with diabetes. It may also helpregulate and/or lower triglyceride levels.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of endogenous glycation. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the absorbed simple sugars 100 may includeglucose. As is known in the art, the simple sugars may also includefructose and galactose. Fructose experiences up to ten times the amountof glycation activity compared to glucose. As an example, FIG. 1illustrates the structural formula for glucose. Simple sugar 100 mayinteract with a protein molecule 110 resulting in endogenous glycation120. As an example, the general structural formula for an amino acid isalso illustrated in FIG. 1. Various other proteins may interact with thesimple sugar 100. In another embodiment, various lipid molecules mayinteract with the simple sugar 100. In particular, with endogenousglycation, the covalent bonding between simple sugar 100 and proteinmolecule 110 may occur without the control of an enzyme. Endogenousglycation occurs mainly in the bloodstream.

Glycation 130 may be a first step before these new molecules undergopost glycation reactions 140, such as Schiff base and Amadori reactions.For example, the aldehyde group of a glucose molecule may combine withthe amino group of a L-lysine molecule, from a protein molecule, to forma Schiff base. In essence, a double bond may be formed between theglucose's carbon atoms and the lysine's nitrogen atoms. The Amadoriproduct rearranges the formation of the Schiff base. As a result, AGEs150 may be formed. For example, when an Amadori product may be oxidized,AGEs 150 are formed. While some AGEs are benign, others may contributeto liver disease, pancreatitis, blood disorders, cardiovascular disease,kidney disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases, as well as reducedinsulin resistance and/or beta cell function.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of glycation occurring witha supplement including lysine and zinc. In this case, the simple sugars200 interact with the supplement 210 instead of the protein molecule110. As described above, Schiff bases form when the amino group of alysine molecule, which is a part of a protein molecule, covalently bondwith the aldehyde group of a glucose molecule. However, when asupplement including lysine is administered, the aldehyde group of aglucose molecule may bind to the lysine instead of the lysine moleculeportion of the protein molecule. The supplement may include D-lysine orL-lysine. Glycation 220 may occur, but AGEs are prevented from occurringwithin the body, and glycated hemoglobin may be reduced. Even if Amadoriproducts occur and AGEs form, they are not introduced into the bodybecause the glycated lysine may be harmlessly removed through the urine.As set forth herein, it has been determined that the inclusion of zincsignificantly increases the efficacy of a supplement including lysine,thereby allowing for a significant reduction in dosage/pill size withsame or better results. In some embodiments, a dietary supplement mayinclude a combination of lysine, zinc, and other nutritionalsupplements, e.g., vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin E, or othernutritional supplements. For example, a dietary supplement includinglysine and vitamin C may improve immune system functionality, lowerglucose levels, and reduce triglyceride levels.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of monitoring theeffectiveness of supplements from a bio-sample 300. For example, method300 may include administering a supplement including lysine and zinc atstep 310. In some embodiments, the supplement may also include vitaminC. The supplement may be administered in a pill, gummy, tablet, shake,capsule, liquid extract, drink, or nutritional bar medium. Thesupplement may also come in various other mediums. The lysine portion ofthe supplement may be D-lysine or L-lysine. D-lysine, is not naturallyproduced within the body, and has similar chemical characteristics toL-lysine. Simple sugars may interact with D- and L-lysine in in lieu offree amino groups in structural proteins within the system. L-lysineoccurs naturally in the body. Naturally occurring L-lysine may be aside-chain residue of ingested protein. L-lysine may have a bitterand/or sweet taste, making it more suitable for particular supplementmediums.

Method 300 may also include monitoring the effectiveness of thesupplement at step 320. In some embodiments, effectiveness of the lysinetreatment may be monitored by analyzing blood and/or urine samples. Theglycated lysine may harmlessly pass through the urine upon interactingwith simple sugars. A urine sample may be obtained and analyzed using afructosamine test that measures glycated lysine. In other embodiments, aurine sample and/or a blood sample can be analyzed using a visual test.For example, some urine tests may expose the urine sample to a reagentwhich causes a color change indicating the concentration range of lysinewithin the urine or a triglyceride level in blood. A first color mayindicate a healthy level of lysine in the urine or triglycerides in theblood. A healthy level of lysine may depend on the amount of lysine thatis glycated, the number of supplements taken, and a given user. Ahealthy level of triglycerides may be less than about 150 mg/dL, but itshould be appreciated that what is healthy for a particular user mayvary. A second color may indicate an unhealthy level of lysine in theurine or triglycerides in the blood. An unhealthy amount of lysine maybe low, indicating not much lysine was glycated. An unhealthy amount oflysine may be above 500 mg/dL, but it should be appreciated that thevalues may vary based on a user. It should be appreciated that more thantwo colors may be used to increase the granularity of the test.

In some embodiments, a more precise test may be used to indicatequantitative levels of glycated lysine in the urine sample. In addition,the urine sample may also be used to monitor blood sugar control,particularly useful for people with diabetes. As the supplementinteracts with sugar, less hemoglobin may be glycated as a result. As aresult, blood glucose levels, HbA1c levels, and/or triglyceride levelsmay decrease.

In another embodiment, the lysine concentration may be monitored usingan automatic reader. For example, an optical reader on a smartphone maybe used to capture the lysine concentration measurements or triglyceridelevels taken on a test. An optical reader may include a camera on asmartphone. The measurement may be captured by the optical reader usingthe test where the glycated lysine concentration or triglyceride levelswere measured. In some embodiments, the value may be manually input intothe automatic reader. An optical reader may capture the measurement andtransmit the measurement to a data store. Depending on this value, theautomatic reader may provide notifications on whether supplements areappropriate to administer. The notification may include a pop-up, avibration, or a noise. The notifications may continue over time. Theperiod between notifications may increase over time. The notificationsmay be stopped by user input. As more data is stored, a more precisedosage of supplements may be determined to be taken over a period oftime.

Method 300 may also include determining any change in the dosage of thesupplement, if necessary, as in step 330. In one embodiment, a visualcue test may help determine whether more or less supplements may need tobe taken. In another embodiment, a specific value on a test may indicatewhether more or less lysine supplements should be taken.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of improvinginsulin resistance and beta cell function using supplements includinglysine, zinc, and vitamin C, consistent with embodiments disclosedherein. For example, method 400 may include measuring a current insulinresistance level and/or a beta cell function level from a test at step410. For example, the supplement may include a range of about 500 mg toabout 3000 mg of lysine, a range of about 5 mg to about 200 mg of zinc,and a range of about 50 mg to about 500 mg of vitamin C. In otherembodiments, the ranges of lysine, zinc, or vitamin C may be different.In still other embodiments, the supplement may include lysine and zinc,lysine and vitamin C, lysine, zinc, and vitamin C, and/or othercombinations. The test may include a fingerprick test thatquantitatively indicates an insulin resistance level and/or a beta cellfunction level. Insulin resistance levels and/or beta cell functionlevels may also be measured using a mid-IR device. The test may includea urine test that quantitatively indicates an insulin resistance leveland/or a beta cell function level.

Method 400 may also include determining the current insulin resistancelevel and/or a beta cell function level at step 420. In someembodiments, a fasting plasma sample may be used to extract an insulinlevel, a glucose level, a c-peptide level, and/or other levels. Usingthe insulin resistance level and/or beta cell function level measurementfrom step 410, it may be determined that the insulin resistance leveland/or beta cell function level is too high. A methodology used tocalculate insulin resistance may be the Homeostatic Model Assessment ofInsulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Generally, levels less than about 1.0 mayindicate insulin-sensitivity, an optimal level. Levels above about 1.9may indicate early insulin resistance. Levels above about 2.9 mayindicate significant insulin resistance. A methodology to calculate betacell function may be the HOMA-β. A healthy person should have HOMA-βvalues around 100%. Values less than about 100% may indicateincreasingly poor beta cell function. It should be appreciated thatthese levels vary by individuals, by race, by gender, by age, by weight,etc.

Method 400 may also include administering supplements, based on theinsulin resistance level and/or beta cell function level at step 430. Ifthe insulin resistance level and/or beta cell function level is toohigh, it may be appropriate to administer the supplements. Thesupplement may be administered in a pill, gummy form, tablet, powder fora shake, capsule, liquid extract, drink, or nutritional bar medium. Thesupplement may also come in various other mediums. The appropriatedosage will depend on the measured insulin level and/or beta cellfunction level. In some embodiments, the method may begin at step 430,where an insulin resistance level and/or beta cell function level hasalready passed a threshold value, as described above.

Method 400 may also include waiting for lysine to interact with absorbedsugars at step 440. After administering the supplement, a period of timeshould pass to allow the supplement to interact with the sugar. Method400 may also include measuring an insulin resistance level and/or a betacell function level after administering the supplement at step 450.After the appropriate period of time, the insulin resistance leveland/or beta cell function level may be tested again to monitor anychanges before and after the supplement was taken. If the insulinresistance level and/or beta cell function level is within anappropriate range, no more supplements may need to be taken. Method 400may also include repeating the above steps as necessary to reduce aninsulin resistance level and/or beta cell function level at step 460. Ifthe measured insulin resistance level and/or beta cell function leveltaken after the supplement is not within an appropriate range,additional supplements may need to be taken to reduce insulin resistancelevels and/or beta cell function levels.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of treatingdiabetes, liver disease, blood disorders, and/or pancreatic diseaseusing supplements including lysine and zinc 500. In some embodiments,the supplement may also include vitamin C. For example, method 500 mayinclude measuring the current blood glucose level from a test at step510. In one example, the supplement may include a range of about 500 mgto about 3000 mg of lysine, a range of about 5 mg to about 200 mg ofzinc, and a range of about 50 mg to about 500 mg of vitamin C. In otherembodiments, the ranges of lysine, zinc, or vitamin C may be different.In still other embodiments, the supplement may include lysine and zinc,lysine and vitamin C, lysine, zinc, and vitamin C, and/or othercombinations. The test may include a fingerprick test thatquantitatively indicates a blood glucose level. Method 500 may alsoinclude determining blood glucose level at step 520. Using the bloodglucose level measurement from step 510, it may be determined that theblood glucose level is too high. Method 500 may also includeadministering the supplements, based on blood glucose level at step 530.If the blood glucose level is too high, it may be appropriate toadminister the supplements. The supplement may be administered in apill, gummy form, tablet, powder for a shake, capsule, liquid extract,drink, or nutritional bar medium. The supplement may also come invarious other mediums. The appropriate dosage will depend on themeasured blood glucose level.

Method 500 may also include waiting for lysine to interact with absorbedsugars at step 540. After administering the supplement, a period of timeshould pass to allow the supplement to interact with the sugar. Method500 may also include measuring blood glucose level after administeringsupplement at step 550. After the appropriate period of time, the bloodglucose level may be tested again to monitor any changes before andafter the supplement was taken. If blood glucose levels are within anappropriate range, no more supplements may need to be taken. Method 500may also include repeating the above steps as necessary to reduce bloodglucose levels at step 560. If the measured blood glucose level takenafter the supplement is not within an appropriate range, additionalsupplements may need to be taken to reduce blood glucose levels.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of inhibiting theeffect of hepatological and pancreatic diseases using supplementsincluding lysine, zinc, and vitamin C, consistent with embodimentsdisclosed herein. For example, method 600 may include measuring acurrent triglyceride level from a test at step 610. For example, thesupplement may include a range of about 500 mg to about 3000 mg oflysine, a range of about 5 mg to about 200 mg of zinc, and a range ofabout 50 mg to about 500 mg of vitamin C. In other embodiments, theranges of lysine, zinc, or vitamin C may be different. In still otherembodiments, the supplement may include lysine and zinc, lysine andvitamin C, lysine, zinc, and vitamin C, and/or other combinations. Thetest may include a fingerprick test that quantitatively indicates atriglyceride level. Triglyceride levels may also be measured using amid-IR device. The test may include a urine test that quantitativelyindicates a triglyceride level.

Method 600 may also include determining the current triglyceride levelat step 620. Using the triglyceride level measurement from step 610, itmay be determined that the triglyceride level is too high. Method 600may also include administering supplements, based on the triglyceridelevel at step 630. If the triglyceride level is too high, it may beappropriate to administer the supplements. The supplement may beadministered in a pill, gummy form, tablet, powder for a shake, capsule,liquid extract, drink, or nutritional bar medium. The supplement mayalso come in various other mediums. The appropriate dosage will dependon the measured triglyceride level. For some patients, a triglyceridelevel below about 150 mg/dL may be healthy. A triglyceride level betweenabout 150 and about 199 mg/dL may be approaching high levels oftriglycerides. Patients with high triglyceride levels may havetriglyceride levels between about 200 and about 299 mg/dL. Very hightriglyceride levels may be above about 500 mg/dL. It should beappreciated that these values may vary based on a given user. FIG. 7more clearly illustrates the categories of triglyceride levels.

Method 600 may also include waiting for lysine to interact with absorbedsugars at step 660. After administering the supplement, a period of timeshould pass to allow the supplement to interact with the sugar. Method600 may also include measuring a triglyceride level after administeringthe supplement at step 660. After the appropriate period of time, thetriglyceride level may be tested again to monitor any changes before andafter the supplement was taken. If the triglyceride level is within anappropriate range, no more supplements may need to be taken. Method 600may also include repeating the above steps as necessary to reduce atriglyceride level at step 660. If the measured triglyceride level takenafter the supplement is not within an appropriate range, additionalsupplements may need to be taken to reduce triglyceride levels.

As used herein, the terms logical circuit and engine might describe agiven unit of functionality that may be performed in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the technology disclosed herein. As used herein,either a logical circuit or an engine might be implemented utilizing anyform of hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, oneor more processors, controllers, ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs,logical components, software routines or other mechanisms might beimplemented to make up a engine. In implementation, the various enginesdescribed herein might be implemented as discrete engines or thefunctions and features described may be shared in part or in total amongone or more engines. In other words, as would be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art after reading this description, the variousfeatures and functionality described herein may be implemented in anygiven application and may be implemented in one or more separate orshared engines in various combinations and permutations. Even thoughvarious features or elements of functionality may be individuallydescribed or claimed as separate engines, one of ordinary skill in theart will understand that these features and functionality may be sharedamong one or more common software and hardware elements, and suchdescription shall not require or imply that separate hardware orsoftware components are used to implement such features orfunctionality.

Where components, logical circuits, or engines of the technology areimplemented in whole or in part using software, in one embodiment, thesesoftware elements may be implemented to operate with a computing orlogical circuit capable of carrying out the functionality described withrespect thereto. One such example logical circuit is shown in FIG. 8.Various embodiments are described in terms of this example logicalcircuit 800. After reading this description, it will become apparent toa person skilled in the relevant art how to implement the technologyusing other logical circuits or architectures.

Referring now to FIG. 8, computing system 800 may represent, forexample, computing or processing capabilities found within desktop,laptop and notebook computers; hand-held computing devices (PDA's, smartphones, cell phones, palmtops, etc.); mainframes, supercomputers,workstations or servers; or any other type of special-purpose orgeneral-purpose computing devices as may be desirable or appropriate fora given application or environment. Logical circuit 800 might alsorepresent computing capabilities embedded within or otherwise availableto a given device. For example, a logical circuit might be found inother electronic devices such as, for example, digital cameras,navigation systems, cellular telephones, portable computing devices,modems, routers, WAPs, terminals and other electronic devices that mightinclude some form of processing capability.

Computing system 800 might include, for example, one or more processors,controllers, control engines, or other processing devices, such as aprocessor 805. Processor 805 might be implemented using ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processing engine such as, forexample, a microprocessor, controller, or other control logic. In theillustrated example, processor 805 is connected to a bus 802, althoughany communication medium may be used to facilitate interaction withother components of logical circuit 800 or to communicate externally.

Computing system 800 might also include one or more memory engines,simply referred to herein as main memory 808. For example, preferablyrandom access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory, might be used forstoring information and instructions to be executed by processor 805.Main memory 808 might also be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions to beexecuted by processor 805. Logical circuit 800 might likewise include aread only memory (“ROM”) or other static storage device coupled to bus802 for storing static information and instructions for processor 805.

The computing system 800 might also include one or more various forms ofinformation storage mechanism 810, which might include, for example, amedia drive 812 and a storage unit interface 820. The media drive 812might include a drive or other mechanism to support fixed or removablestorage media 815. For example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive,a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a CD or DVD drive (R orRW), or other removable or fixed media drive might be provided.Accordingly, storage media 815 might include, for example, a hard disk,a floppy disk, magnetic tape, cartridge, optical disk, a CD or DVD, orother fixed or removable medium that is read by, written to or accessedby media drive 812. As these examples illustrate, the storage media 815can include a computer usable storage medium having stored thereincomputer software or data.

In alternative embodiments, information storage mechanism 810 mightinclude other similar instrumentalities for allowing computer programsor other instructions or data to be loaded into logical circuit 800.Such instrumentalities might include, for example, a fixed or removablestorage unit 822 and an interface 820. Examples of such storage units822 and interfaces 820 can include a program cartridge and cartridgeinterface, a removable memory (for example, a flash memory or otherremovable memory engine) and memory slot, a PCMCIA slot and card, andother fixed or removable storage units 822 and interfaces 820 that allowsoftware and data to be transferred from the storage unit 822 to logicalcircuit 800.

Logical circuit 800 might also include a communications interface 826.Communications interface 826 might be used to allow software and data tobe transferred between logical circuit 800 and external devices.Examples of communications interface 826 might include a modem orsoftmodem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet, network interfacecard, WiMedia, IEEE 802.XX or other interface), a communications port(such as for example, a USB port, IR port, RS232 port Bluetooth®interface, or other port), or other communications interface. Softwareand data transferred via communications interface 826 might typically becarried on signals, which can be electronic, electromagnetic (whichincludes optical) or other signals capable of being exchanged by a givencommunications interface 826. These signals might be provided tocommunications interface 826 via a channel 828. This channel 828 mightcarry signals and might be implemented using a wired or wirelesscommunication medium. Some examples of a channel might include a phoneline, a cellular link, an RF link, an optical link, a network interface,a local or wide area network, and other wired or wireless communicationschannels.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computerusable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as, forexample, memory 808, storage unit 820, media 815, and channel 828. Theseand other various forms of computer program media or computer usablemedia may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or moreinstructions to a processing device for execution. Such instructionsembodied on the medium, are generally referred to as “computer programcode” or a “computer program product” (which may be grouped in the formof computer programs or other groupings). When executed, suchinstructions might enable the logical circuit 800 to perform features orfunctions of the disclosed technology as discussed herein.

Although FIG. 8 depicts a computer network, it is understood that thedisclosure is not limited to operation with a computer network, butrather, the disclosure may be practiced in any suitable electronicdevice. Accordingly, the computer network depicted in FIG. 8 is forillustrative purposes only and thus is not meant to limit the disclosurein any respect.

While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the variousdiagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration forthe disclosed technology, which is done to aid in understanding thefeatures and functionality that can be included in the disclosedtechnology. The disclosed technology is not restricted to theillustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desiredfeatures can be implemented using a variety of alternative architecturesand configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in theart how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning andconfigurations can be implemented to implement the desired features ofthe technology disclosed herein. Also, a multitude of differentconstituent engine names other than those depicted herein can be appliedto the various partitions.

Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions andmethod claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shallnot mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform therecited functionality in the same order unless the context dictatesotherwise.

Although the disclosed technology is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood thatthe various features, aspects and functionality described in one or moreof the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability tothe particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead canbe applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of theother embodiments of the disclosed technology, whether or not suchembodiments are described and whether or not such features are presentedas being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scopeof the technology disclosed herein should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “engine” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the engine are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of anengine, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in asingle package or separately maintained and can further be distributedin multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of improving beta cell function by usinga supplement, the method comprising: administering the supplementcomprising lysine, zinc, and vitamin C to a user; monitoring an insulinresistance level before and after the supplement is administered in abio-sample; and determining a change in a dose of the supplement basedon the insulin resistance level found in the bio-sample.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the supplement comprises a range of about 500 mg toabout 3000 mg of lysine, a range of about 10 mg to about 60 mg of zinc,and less than about 500 mg of vitamin C.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the bio-sample is a blood sample.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising displaying, on a graphical user interface of anelectronic device, the insulin resistance level.